Luis Figo, the former Real Madrid star, recently reflected on his historic and controversial transfer from Barcelona to Real Madrid in 2000.
At the time, the move made headlines worldwide as Figo became the most expensive player in football history. His decision to cross the rivalry divide remains one of the most discussed moments in football even now.
In a recent interview with El Mundo (h/t SPORT), Figo faced a barrage of personal and financial questions, some of which he carefully avoided answering in detail.
When asked about his net worth, he sidestepped the inquiry without providing a definitive response.
Earnings at Real Madrid
The topic of his salary during his time at Real Madrid was also brought up. The interviewer reminded him of his status as the costliest player in the sport when he signed for Los Blancos.
However, Figo assured that the money “was not for me.”
He also acknowledged that “I earned well” but refrained from sharing exact figures, choosing instead to keep the details private.
Mbappe’s difficulties
The conversation also touched upon another high-profile player, Kylian Mbappe, and his ongoing adaptation to life at Real Madrid.
Figo discussed the challenges that come with playing for a club as demanding as Real Madrid.
“I have lived through the pressure. People want things quickly but you have to give time.”
He highlighted that adapting to a new country, team, and environment can take time, as many factors influence how quickly a player integrates into a new setup.
“You change country and team and there is an adaptation, there are people who integrate faster. It depends on many factors. And logically, it is not the same to play in a team as to play for Real Madrid,” he said.
There is still hope
He emphasised that while the weight of expectations at a club like Real Madrid can sometimes hinder a player’s ability to showcase their full potential, truly great players eventually rise to the occasion.
“Many times the pressure does not allow you to show your quality and many players arrive at Madrid and do not manage to express their talent.”
He pointed out that players of Mbappé’s calibre will ultimately demonstrate their immense quality and prove their worth, even if the process takes longer for some than others.
“In general, great players like Mbappe will sooner or later demonstrate their virtues,” he explained.
